Israel

Foreword

This volume is one in a continuing series of books prepared by
the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the
Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the Department
of the Army. The last two pages of this book list the other
published studies.

Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign
country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social,
and national security systems and institutions, and examining the
interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by
cultural factors. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding
of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a
static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who
make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values,
their common interests and the issues on which they are divided,
the nature and extent of their involvement with national
institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward
their social system and political order.

The books represent the analysis of the authors and should not
be construed as an expression of an official United States
government position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought
to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity.
Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers
will be welcomed for use in future editions.